Nutcracker



Dec. 20, 1949 w. VENTON 2,491,623

NUTCRACKER Filed July 16, 1947 2 She'ets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M14/IamVerzarz.

Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates broadly to new and useful improvements innutcrackers.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a nutcrackerwhich well adapted to break the shell of the nut without crushing themeat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nutcrackerhaving provisions for automatically clamping and holding the nut beforethe shell is cracked.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker of theabove-mentioned character wherein the nut-clamping members are mutuallyadjustable to accommodate different sizes of nut.

Yet another object of the invention is' to provide a nutcracker of theabove-mentioned character wherein the nut-clamping and -cracking partsare retracted automatically after each operation of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker of theabove-mentioned character having a base shaped to catch the brokenportions of the nut after the shell is cracked.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker ofthe above-mentioned character which is strong and rugged in construction and efficient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

lIn the drawing forming .a part of this specifica tion and wherein likenumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 isa longitudinal sectional View of a nutcracker embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2--2` of Fig. 1;

eig. 3 is a horizontal sectional Viewl taken on the line 3--3 of Fig'.1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 4 4in Fie. 1;

Fig. 5 is' a fragmentary', horizontal sectional view taken on the line5-5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. Gis' a vertical sectional View takenl on the Au preferredembodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration in the`drawing. B'roadly, the device here shown comprises a vertical, tubularpost Iii at one end oifa base I2, 5'0

which post supports' a vertically movable carriage I4. The latternormally is urged upwardly by a spring I6 which is disposed withinthepos't i6 and' confined between the lowe end' of the latterv anddownwardly on the post I6 manually by means `or 'a knob I8 on the upperend thereof, and a latch mechanism designated generally by the numeral2G engages notches or teeth 22 on the post id to hold the carriagelowered against the action of spring I6.

The nut-cracking portion of thedevice comprises stationary and movablejaws 24 and 26 and a nut-splitting element 28. The stationary jaw 2e issupported solidly on the base I2 beside the post iii, whereas themovable jaw 26 and the nutsplitting element 2S are carried by alaterally projecting arm 30 of the carriage I4. The nutsplitting element28 extends centrally 'through jaw 26, and the lower end thereof isprovided with a splitting edge 32 which normally is received in a recessor socket 34 in the bottom face of jaw 26. On the upper end ofnut-splitting element 28 is a guide 36 whichtravels in and snugly nts avertical bore 38 in the arm 30. A spring it confined in the bore 38reacts against the stop 36 to hold the knife edge 32 of element 28normally lretracted in socket 34 and jaw 26 against the arm 3d. A secondspring 42 conned between jaw 26 and stop 35 functions as a spring drivebetween the nut-splitting element 28 and the jaw and connects thesemembers for normal mutual operation. A manually operable handle 44pivoted to the carriage I4 and movable downwardly against the projectingupper end of the nut-splitting element 28v is yactuated to clamp andcrack a nut placed between the jaws 24 and 26. Also, it will beobservedthat a xed sleeve e6 disposed coaxially within the bore 38 separatessprings 4t and 42 and provides additional support for the guide 36. Astop 4l of rubber or the like on the carriage I4 limits downwardmovement of the handle' 64 and consequently of the nut-splitting element2a.

In operation, jaws" 2li and 26 are spaced approximately by placing thenut to be cracked therebetween and pushing downwardly on the knob i8until the upper jaw 26 engages the nut (Fig. l). When knob I8 isreleased, the catch meclianism 2li holds the carriage le approximatelyin the adjusted position and with the upper jaw 26 against or vinproximity to the nut. Handle lil is then pressed downwardly against thenut-splitting element 28 to press the element and the movable jaw 26against the nut. Manifestly, jaw t6 is coactive with the nut-splittingelement 23 due tc the spring drive 52. Therefore, the jaw 26 moves withthe element 28 until it engages the nut, at which time the jaw 26remains stationary the carriage'. The carriage f4 can be' pushed' $5 andserves to the nut solidly against the 3 lower jaw 24. Thereafter,continued actuation of handle 44 moves the nut-spring element 28independently of jaw 26 whereby to project the splitting edge 32 fromrecess 34 and to drive it against the nut. During independent movementof the nut-splitting element 28, spring 42 is further compressed, andreaction of the spring against jaw 26 increases the clamping action ofthe same and assists in holding the nut clamped firmly between the twojaws. Element 28 `is driven downwardly in independent travel a distancesuiicient to split the shell of the nut but insufficient to penetrate orcrush the meat with the shell. vAs suggested, the stop 4l engages handle44 to positively prevent the element 28 from being driven too far on itssplitting stroke. When handle 44 is released, the splitting edge 32 iswithdrawn into socket 34, and the spring 40 retracts jaw 26 and element23 as a unit `to the position shown in Fig. 1. The two jaws 24 and 26are then spaced to receive another nut of approximately the same size asthe one previously i cracked, and any desired number of equisized orfrom the nut previously cracked, the jaws 24 ,andk

26 are again spaced approximately by adjusting the position of carriageI4 on the post I9. If the Y nut is smaller the jaws may be adjustedmerely by again pressing downwardly on the knob I8. On the other hand,if the nut is larger, the catch 26 is actuated to release the post I6 sothat spring I'B can raise the carriage to its initial position and theknob is again depressed to readjust the jaws 24 and 26 in the mannerhereinabove de'- scribed.

The base I2 may be of any desiredsize and may assume a variety ofshapes. Also, it may be made of any suitable material such as metal,wood, or plastic. In the form of the invention here shown, the base I2is made of wood and is generally oval in plan, as best shown in Fig. -3.Pads 48 of rubber or the like support the base I2 and prevent the latterfrom marring or scratching any surface upon which the device is placed.Preferably, the post I6 and the stationary jaw 24 are Xed on a mountingplate 50, and the latter is fastened on the base I2 by screws 52 or thelike. Also, the top surface of the base I2 is dished, as at 54, and thedished area preferably embraces the lower jaw 24 (Fig. 3) to receivefragments of the nut which fall on one side or the other of the jaw.

The post I6 may be welded or otherwise fixed on the mounting plate 56,and one side thereof is provided with a vertical guide 56 which receivesa guide pin 58 carried by the carriage I4. Guide pin 58 prevents thecarriage I4 from rotating on the post ID whereby to hold the jaws 24 and26 centered with respect to each other and to assure proper engagementof the latch mechanism with the notches 22. i

Specifically, the latch mechanism here shown comprises a U-shaped strap60 which embraces an embossment 62 on the lower portion of carriage I4.Rivets 64 hold the strap 6I! fixed on the embossment 62. A slidablelatch pin'or detent 66 is received in aligning openings provided in thestrap 66 and embossment 62, and the inner end of the latch pin ispositioned for engagement with the notches or teeth 22, as shown inFig. 1. Also, it will be observed that each notch or tooth 2 2isdownw'ardly tapered and that' the inner end 4 of latch pin 66 iscorrespondingly tapered so that the pin will move easily from one toothto another when the carriage I4 is pushed downwardly on the post I0. Apreloaded compression spring 68, confinedv between the strap 66 and astop plate if) xed to the pin 66, urges the latter constantly inwardlyin the direction of post ID. In order to retract the latch pin 6E, asmall rotatable shaft 'f2 is journaled in opposite arms of the strap 6I]in front of the stop plate'land at one side of the latch-pin 66:(Figsj1and 6) A radial pin 'I4 carried by shaft 'I2 engages the stop plate 'I6upon rotation of the shaft and retracts the latch pin 66 against theaction of spring t8. A hand wheel 'I6 is xed on one end of shaft 'I2 tofacilitate rotation thereof, and a cotter pin 'I6 cooperates with thehand wheel 'I6 to hold the shaft 'I2 in place (Fig. 6).

From' the foregoing it will be readily apparent that latch pin 66 movesfreely along the series ,ref notches 22 whencarriage I4 is pusheddownwardly on the post III and that when a nut is clamped between jaws24 and 26, it automatically engages one of the teeth when the carriageis released to hold the carriage approximately in the released position.Thereafter, latch pin 66 prevents spring I6 from returning the carriageI4 until it is retracted by actuation of hand wheel It in the mannerhereinabove described.

In order to enhance the gripping action of the jaws 24 and 2E, theclamping surface of jaw 24 is provided with relatively large or coarsegrooves or serrations 86, and the corresponding surface of jaw 26 isformed with relatively small or fine serrations 62. Also, it will beobserved that the clamping surface of lower jaw 24 is formed with acentral recess 85 (Fig. 3) and that the upper jaw 26 is provided withtwo series of serrations 82 which extend at right angles to each otherto provide a plurality of square, bluntly pointed grip'- ping teeth(Fig. 4).

With reference to the specific nuteclamping and -splitting mechanismhere shown, it will be observed that the nut-splitting element 2S isformed at the lower end thereof with an annular shoulder 96 which seatsupwardly against an annular seat 92 defined by the .bottoni of socket34. Thus, the nut-splitting element 28, in effect, carries the upperclamping jaw 26 and the latter is free floating within dened limit onthe element 28. Also, it'will be observed that the guide 36 is providedat theinner end thereof with a portion 94 of reduced diameter, and, assuggested, the portion 94 fits snugly in the upper end of sleeve 45 andprovides additional bearing surface for steadying and supporting thenut-splitting element 28. Preferably the outer spring It is strong erthan the inner spring 42, since the latter spring merely functions toadvance jaw 26 with the nutsplitting element 28 when the latter is moveddownwardly by handle 44, whereas the outer spring 4I) must return theentire assembly, including the handle 44, after each operation of thedevice.

The handle 44 may be pivoted in any suitable place on the carriage I4and in any desired manner which permits sufficient leverage to beapplied against the nut-splitting member 23.A In the form. of theinvention here shown, the attached end of handle 44 projects into ahorizontal bore 96 provided in the carriage i4 adjacent the upper endthereof and is fastened by a pivot 68. Also, the portion of handle 44which engages the nut-splitting element 28 preferably is of reduceddiameter, as at |00; and, if desired, the upper 5 end of thenut-splitting element may be transversely grooved so that the elementand the handle interft to prevent rotation of the nutsplitting element.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A nutcracker comprising a base; a vertical post on said base; a carriervertically adjustable on said post; means for releasably holding saidcarrier in a selected adjusted position on said post; a stationary lowerjaw on said base laterally of said post; a nut-splitting element carriedby and independently vertically movable relative to said carrier, saidelement disposed directly above said lower jaw and having a downwardlydirected nut-splitting edge adapted to co-operate with said lower jaw tocrack a nut disposed therebetween; a manual actuator pivoted to saidcarrier and engaging downwardly against said nut-splitting element, saidactuator operable to advance said nut-splitting element in the carrierand against a nut disposed on said stationary lower jaw; spring meansconned by said carrier and said nut-splitting element normally holdingthe latter retracted; an upwardly facing shoulder on 6 saidnut-splitting element; an upper jaw mounted for vertical slidingmovement of the said nutsplitting element adapted to co-operate withsaid lower jaw to clamp a nut preparatory to engagement thereof by saidnut-splitting element; a second spring means confined between saidnutsplitting element and said upper jaw normally holding the latterpressed downwardly against said shoulder; and a socket in the under faceof said upper jaw adapted to receive said nut-splitting edge when saidupper jaw is in engagement with said shoulder.

WILLIAM VENTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 537,477 North Apr. 16, 1895702,721 Gerstmayr June 17, 1902 998,482 Elder July 18, 1911 1,094,698Bostrom Apr. 28, 1914 1,108,920 May Sept. 1, 1914 1,210,414 BurkhardtJan. 2, 1917 1,663,930 Giesecke Mar. 27, 1928 2,140,428 Ferney Dec. 13,1938 2,178,375 Lennard Oct. 31, 1939 2,200,515 Moeller May 14, 1940

